please see my issue I just posted about a bolt shearing off our equalizer hitch while towing our 22 fb sport. We had much noise these last tows. we will call equalizer for feedback. this occurred after the noise became very excessive

please see my issue I just posted about a bolt shearing off our equalizer hitch while towing our 22 fb sport. We had much noise these last tows. we will call equalizer for feedback. this occurred after the noise became very excessive

Hi, which bolt? Do you have a picture of it? Have you maintained your hitch, cleaned, and lubed where necessary?

Typically the noise generated from an Equal-I-zer brand hitch is generated from the L bracket as the bars slide along in its mounting. I've checked the pivot bolts next to the head annually and have only had to torque them to specs once in the 10 years I've owned this hitch. That was when the hitch was fairly new and was still breaking in.

Prior to owning this hitch, I used a Reese dual cam hitch. The hitch bars that sit in the dual cam saddle also creak and moan in slow speed turns as they slide through the saddle. The Equal-i-zer is louder than the Reese but the friction is what you want. It is not unusual for these to make noise when backing or driving slowly through a campground and is not always an indicator of something being too loose. Just make sure you inspect the pivot bolts and torque them to specs. Check the brackets mounted to the a frame of the trailer and make sure they are tight.

So, beyond mere NOISE, I have damage to the small hitch where the friction bar attaches to the trailer hitch. The cup on the forward end of the friction bar is compressed just enough that I can't get it off the ball, and the ball is pushed slightly forward. I might have done this when I was backing into my driveway, and perhaps because I really tightened down on the tension. But in any case: do I need to replace both that little ball and also the piece of the tension bar that's on the inside?

So, beyond mere NOISE, I have damage to the small hitch where the friction bar attaches to the trailer hitch. The cup on the forward end of the friction bar is compressed just enough that I can't get it off the ball, and the ball is pushed slightly forward. I might have done this when I was backing into my driveway, and perhaps because I really tightened down on the tension. But in any case: do I need to replace both that little ball and also the piece of the tension bar that's on the inside?

Unless things have changed it sounds like you do not have an Equal-i-zer branded hitch. This brand of hitch does not require any adjustments for tension. You might identify your brand of hitch so that someone knowledgeable can help you.